Bobcat softball season had ups and downs

As many fans look back on the 2012 Peru State softball season, they will remember it for being full of many ups and downs as the team was constantly searching for consistency. The season started out rough as they lost their first 11 games, most of which were close games. They were able to bounce back however, by finishing 15-15 over their last 30 games putting their final record at 15-26.

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By Peru State Sports Information

Nebraska City News-Press - Nebraska City, NE

By Peru State Sports Information

Posted May. 20, 2013 at 7:51 AM
Updated May 20, 2013 at 7:53 AM

By Peru State Sports Information

Posted May 20, 2013 at 7:51 AM
Updated May 20, 2013 at 7:53 AM

As many fans look back on the 2012 Peru State softball season, they will remember it for being full of many ups and downs as the team was constantly searching for consistency. The season started out rough as they lost their first 11 games, most of which were close games. They were able to bounce back however, by finishing 15-15 over their last 30 games putting their final record at 15-26.

The 'Cats fared much better in conference play with a 9-9 record, which was good enough for a fifth place finish in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) putting them in the post-season tournament. The Bobcats had a rough tournament as Mother Nature caused the first two days of the tournament to be cancelled which then moved the tournament from a double elimination format to single elimination. When the team was finally able to play, Evangel University got the best of them beating them 12-0 to knock the 'Cats out of the tournament.

The Bobcats had four players whom received Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) post-season all conference honors. Selected to the HAAC All-Conference First Team was senior Kristin Bodyk (Paris, Ontario, Canada). Bodyk was a key hitter for the 'Cats and starting shortstop for the last three years. Last year, Bodyk also received First Team recognition. She had a batting average of .330 this year along with six home runs and 27 RBI.

Receiving second team honors were senior catcher Emily Maresh (Central City) and sophomore pitcher Lauren Johnson (Seward). Maresh was another key hitter and has been an anchor behind the plate the last four years. She had a team-high batting average of .333 with 30 RBI and four home runs. Maresh has received post-season honors in all four years that she has been a Bobcat softball player. Johnson was the leading hurler for the 'Cats this season winning nine games with an ERA of 4.14.

The final softball player to receive post-season recognition was newcomer junior Traci Bohlmeyer (Fairbury). She received HAAC All-Conference Honorable Mention honors. Bohlmeyer started at second base this year and led the team in stolen bases while batting .291.

Two Bobcats ended the season ranked in the top 50 in the NAIA Division I national rankings. Johnson is currently ranked 30th in walks allowed per nine innings (1.35). Junior Devon Massengale (Elkhorn) currently ranks 31st in innings pitched per game (5.926). The team is currently ranked 46th in triples per game (0.244).

Several Bobcat Players moved into the Peru State Softball record books with the conclusion of this season. Maresh ended her career tied for fourth all time in career home runs (20), fifth in career RBI (112), eighth in career batting average (.354), ninth in career doubles (32), and tied tenth in career hits (151).

Page 2 of 2 - Bodyk set one single season record and is in the career top ten record books for two categories. She is now tied for tenth in Peru State history for most home runs in a season as she hit six this season. Career-wise, Bodyk is ranked seventh in career home runs (14), and tenth in career doubles (31).

Massengale is now ranked in four Peru State career pitching categories. She ranks third in career innings pitched (419.0), third in career strikeouts (261), fifth in career victories (35), and sixth in career complete games (37).

The Bobcats lost seven seniors but will return 11 players from last year's squad and have already added 15 new players for next year's team. The core of returners, added with the large incoming recruiting class, should give the 'Cats a good mix of abilities to have a successful season next year.